Plasmid and production thereof

Abstract

A novel plasmid pATM2 is obtainable from a microorganism belonging to the genus Micromonospora. The plasmid pATM2 is useful as a cloning vector in recombinant DNA work.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. An biologically pure plasmid pATM2 which is obtained from a microorganism belonging to the genus micromonaspora and is characterized by the following properties: (1) Molecular weight: approximately 4.87±0.05 megadaltons   (2) Shape: circular   (3) Restriction endonuclease cleavage sites: Eco RI (0/4.9), Bgl II (0.72), Bam HI (1.48 and 3.6), Hind III (1.5) and Kpn I (3.8)   (4) Sensitivity to restriction endonucleases:   ______________________________________                                    
Restriction endonuclease                                                  
                Number of Cleavage Sites                                  
______________________________________                                    
Bam HI          2                                                         
Bgl II          1                                                         
Kpn I           1                                                         
Sal I           ≧3                                                 
Eco RI          1                                                         
Hind III        1                                                         
Sma I           ≧3                                                 
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       2. A method for producing plasmid pATM2 which comprises cultivating a plasmid pATM2-harboring microorganism belonging to the genus Micromonospora in a culture medium, harvesting the cells thereof, subjecting said cells to lysis, and recovering the plasmid pATM2 from the lysate. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the microorganism is Micromonospora coerulea. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the microorganism is Micromonospora coerulea IFO 13504. 
     
     
       5. A host microorganism cell containing a vector, the vector comprising plasmid pATM2, the host microorganism being selected from Streptomyces, Bacillus, Corynebacterium and Brevibacterium.